| How to Exfoliate Skin Posted: 20 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Seeing dull skin in the mirror can be frustrating, but exfoliating regularly can help you look your best! Your skin renews itself every 28 days, and it's normal for dead skin cells to build up. Exfoliation removes your dead skin cells to reveal youthful skin. Use a chemical exfoliator or scrub to exfoliate your face and body. Additionally, choose an exfoliator that's best for your skin type. [Edit]Scrubbing Your Face - Apply your exfoliator by making circular motions with your fingers. Put a quarter-size amount of your chemical exfoliator or scrub on your fingertips. Then, rub it across your face with circular motions. [1]
- Rinse off the exfoliator with cool water and pat your face dry. Splash the water over your face until all of the product is removed. Use cool water to shrink the look of your pores. Then, blot your face dry using a soft, clean towel.[2]
- If you used a scrub, make sure that you don't have any granules in your hair line or stuck on your skin. It can be hard to remove all of the exfoliator.
- Apply moisturizer to your face to soothe your skin. Your skin might feel a little dry or tight after you exfoliate, so it's best to moisturize your skin. Use facial lotion immediately after you exfoliate to add moisture back to your skin. Choose a moisturizer that's formulated for your skin type. Then, massage about a dime-sized amount of it into your skin.[3]
- If you use a face serum, apply the serum before you use your moisturizer.
- Exfoliate your face 2-3 times a week. Your skin will look its best if you exfoliate it regularly. At a minimum, it's best to exfoliate your skin twice a week. If your skin tolerates it well, exfoliate 3 times per week.[4]
- If you have sensitive skin, you may only be able to exfoliate once a week. Try 2-3 times per week but reduce how often you exfoliate if your skin is red, dry, or itchy.
- The best time of day to exfoliate is in the morning. Your skin renews itself at night, so the morning is the best time to scrub away your dead skin cells.[5]
- Pick a chemical exfoliator with an acid for a less abrasive option. A chemical exfoliator is gentler than a manual exfoliator so it's less damaging to your skin. Look for a product that says it's a chemical exfoliator. Additionally, read the label to make sure your product contains glycolic acid, lactic acid, beta hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid, which are popular exfoliators. You can use these types of exfoliators as a regular face wash.[6]
- You may be able to use a chemical exfoliator daily, but start with 2-3 times per week to see how your skin tolerates it.
- Read the label on your exfoliator and follow the instructions for the product you chose.
- Use a commercial scrub or make your own if your skin tolerates it. Scrubs are manual exfoliators that slough off your top layer of skin. These types of exfoliators are great for removing your dead skin cells but can irritate your skin because they're abrasive. Try a scrub if you like the smooth, polished feel they give you.[7]
- A salt or sugar scrub will be milder than a scrub that has plastic beads or ground up nuts.
- You can make your own salt or sugar scrub by adding 2 tsp (8 g) of salt or sugar to your regular cleanser. As another option, combine of coconut oil, 2 tbsp (24 g) of sugar, and of lemon juice to make a homemade facial scrub.
[Edit]Picking the Right Exfoliator for Your Skin - Choose any exfoliator that feels comfortable if your skin is normal. Your skin should tolerate most exfoliators, but it might get irritated if you use a manual scrub. For best results, try a chemical and manual exfoliator, but use them on different days. This will help you get the benefits of both without stressing your skin.[8]
- For instance, you might use a chemical exfoliator on Sunday and a manual scrub on Wednesday.
- If you exfoliate 3 times per week, you could use a chemical exfoliator on Sunday and Tuesday, then use your scrub on Friday.
- Apply a strong chemical exfoliator or use a scrub if you have oily skin. Some chemical exfoliators are stronger than others. Look for a product that has BHAs listed on the label or a high percentage of AHAs. Alternatively, use a manual face scrub to slough off your dead skin cells.[9]
- You will likely be able to exfoliate 3 times a week if you have oily skin.
- Use a washcloth and chemical exfoliator on dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Look for a mild chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Apply it to a washcloth for more exfoliation. Then, gently scrub your face once or twice a week to remove your dead skin cells.[10]
- If your skin gets irritated, apply the product with your fingers instead of a washcloth.
[Edit]Exfoliating Your Body - Use an exfoliating body wash to exfoliate in the shower daily. Look for a body wash that has a chemical exfoliator or a manual exfoliator, like sugar, salt, or plastic beads. Since the skin on your body is thicker, it's okay to use a stronger exfoliator and to exfoliate more often. Scrub yourself with your exfoliating body wash every day to keep your skin looking soft and smooth.[11]
- If your skin feels dry or irritated, decrease how often you use your body wash. Try using it 2-3 times a week.
- Exfoliate with a sugar or salt scrub weekly to polish your skin. If you want your skin to be really soft and smooth, use a manual exfoliator once a week to improve your skin. Wet your skin, then massage the scrub into your body before you shower. Start at your shoulders, then rub the exfoliator into your skin down to your toes. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees, and ankles where skin tends to build up.[12]
- If you don't use an exfoliating body wash, it's okay to use a body scrub twice a week, if you like.
- You can purchase a commercial body scrub or make your own. For a simple body scrub, combine equal parts brown sugar or salt with coconut oil, almond oil, or sweet almond oil.
- Make short, light strokes if you use a dry brush or sponge. A brush or scrub allows you to easily exfoliate your skin without a product. Use your brush or sponge daily before you shower while your skin is dry. Start at your shoulders and work your way down to your feet. Move the brush or sponge across your skin in short, light strokes to remove your dead skin cells.[13]
- Using the brush or sponge can irritate your skin, especially if it's sensitive. If this happens, use your brush or sponge once a week or switch to a different exfoliator.
- Apply moisturizer after you exfoliate to nourish your skin. It's normal for your skin to feel dry or itchy after you exfoliate. Fortunately, you can relieve this by applying a body lotion or cream. Slather your favorite moisturizer over your body as soon as you get out of the shower.[14]
- Use about a shot glass of body lotion or cream to cover your entire body. However, use more if necessary.
[Edit]Warnings - Ask your dermatologist for a prescription exfoliator if your skin gets irritated.[15]
- Don't exfoliate your skin if you have a cut, wound, or sunburn. It can cause irritation or further damage.[16]
- Exfoliating your skin too often can damage it. Start with once or twice a week, then reduce how often you exfoliate if your skin gets irritated.[17]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wrap a Present Posted: 20 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST Wrapping a present is a kind gesture that can show someone how much you care. It's easy to wrap a present if you make all your folds and cuts carefully. When you're done with the basic wrapping, you can give the present a unique touch with bows and embellishments. When finished, you'll have a beautiful gift to present to a loved one. [Edit]Measuring the Paper - Remove all of the price tags. Leaving the price tag on a present is generally considered improper etiquette as the recipient doesn't need to know how much you spent. If you cannot remove the sticker, get a black pen and black out the price.
- Place the gift in a box. It's much easier to wrap a present using a box. You can buy boxes for gifts in the same department store aisle where you buy wrapping paper. You can also use an old box, like a shoebox, you have lying around your home.
- It's also a good idea to seal the top of the box with tape to prevent it from coming open during the wrapping process.
- Unroll the wrapping paper. Work on a flat surface, like a hardwood floor or table. Unroll the wrapping paper across the table. Unroll enough wrapping paper that the paper is about twice the length of the box. Do not cut the wrapping paper from the roll yet.
- Lay the box topside down over your wrapping paper. Place the box in the middle of the paper, with the top facing down. Place it about halfway between the edge of the wrapping paper and the roll of wrapping paper.[1]
- Wrap the paper over the box. Take the edge of the wrapping paper and wrap it around the box so it covers about half the box. Then, roll the tube of the wrapping paper over the box all the way to the other end of the box. The box should now be completely covered in wrapping paper.[2]
- Cut the paper so the wrapping paper overlaps. The wrapping paper should overlap just slightly on top of the box. Cut a straight line across the upper layer of wrapping paper so it overlaps the bottom layer by a few inches or centimeters.[3]
[Edit]Wrapping a Box Shaped Present - Tape one side of the paper to the box. Once you've cut the paper to the right size, you can let go of it. Put the roll of paper aside and grab Scotch tape. Fold one end of the paper over the box and press it flat against the bottom of the box. Place a piece of scotch tape near the middle of the box to secure the paper.[4]
- Fold over the other side of the paper and tape it down. Fold the other side of the paper over the top of box. Overlap this paper slightly with the paper you just taped down. Place a piece of tape on the center of the box, securing the top layer of paper to the bottom layer.[5]
- This piece of paper will be the visible paper on the box. If you want a straighter edge, you can fold the end of the paper inward to create one before taping it down.
- If you're wrapping a very big present, you may have to use several pieces of tape just to make sure everything stays in place.
- Tuck in the paper on the corners of the box. Two sides of the box will still have unfolded paper sticking out. Starting on one side, push both ends of the paper inward so they hug the corners of the box.[6]
- Crease the triangle-shaped folds. Once the ends are hugging the corners of the box, you will notice four triangle shape folds on each of the box's corners. Use your fingers to crease each fold to secure it.[7]
- Fold the upper and lower flap together. At this point, on the top and bottom of the box, there should be two trapezoid-shaped flaps. Push the top flap down and crease the edge to secure it. Then, push the bottom flap upward so it overlaps with the top flap. Again, crease the edge to secure the fold.[8]
- Secure the sides with tape. Take a piece of scotch tape. Tape the upper flap to the lower flap, placing the tape at the center of the box's side. This side of the box should now be fully concealed by wrapping paper.[9]
- Repeat on the other side. Turn the box around and repeat the exact same process on the other side. Press the wrapping paper at the box's corners inward. Crease all four triangle shape folds. Push the upper flap down and then the lower flap upward. Conceal the folds with tape.[10]
[Edit]Wrapping a Cylinder Shaped Gift - Measure your object. Measure the circumference of the object using a measuring tape. Add to the circumference. Then, measure the rough length of the object from top to bottom and the diameter of the flat side.
- To measure the circumference, wrap the measuring tape around the curve of the object.
- To measure the diameter, measure the flat side of the object from one end to the other.
- If an object has one flat side that's bigger than the other, measure the diameter of the bigger side.
- Cut out your tissue paper. Cylinder objects should be wrapped in tissue paper instead of wrapping paper. Cut the tissue paper into the shape of a rectangle. The rectangle's width should be the object's circumference plus . Its height should be the diameter plus the length.[11]
- For example, say a circle's circumference was , its length was , and its diameter was . Your rectangle would be by .
- Place the object in the center of the paper. Spread your paper out on a flat surface. Place the object in the rough center point of the paper.[12]
- Wrap the paper around the round side. Wrap one side of the tissue paper at a time around the rounder side of the cylinder. One side of the paper should overlap the other side slightly. Tape the upper layer of tissue paper to the lower layer at the midpoint of the object.[13]
- Twist both ends to enclose the cylinder. The paper on the flat side of the cylinder should still be sticking out. Starting on one end, pinch the paper at the base of the object and twist it around two or three times. Then, wrap a piece of tape around the twist to secure it. Repeat on the other side.[14]
- The wrapping job should resemble the wrapping of a piece of candy, like a Tootsie Roll.
[Edit]Adding Embellishments - Flip over the box. When adding embellishments, you want to work on the top side of the box. Flip the box over, so the edges of the paper are not visible on top of the box.
- Add a To/From tag. It's always a nice touch to add a To/From tag on a package to give it a personal touch. You can use store-bought tags, which you can find at most department stores. You can also make your own To/From tags by cutting cardboard paper into the shape of tags, covering them with decorative paper, and writing a personal message with a pen or pencil.[15]
- Tie a bow around the gift. Use a thick ribbon, which you can purchase at a department store. Turn the present upside down, so the seams you taped earlier are facing upward. Tape down the end of the ribbon in the center of the box. Loop it around the package length-wise until the ribbon circles the package completely. Cut the ribbon and tape down the other end.
- If desired, you can create a double bow. Repeat this process, but this time wrap the ribbon around the package width-wise.
- Add stick-on bows. If you want to save some time, use stick-on bows instead. You can buy these at any department store. The bows should have a sticker on the bottom you press against a present to secure it to a gift.
- Use fake berries or herbs as embellishments. You can buy fake berries and herbs at a local gift shop or craft store. You can glue these onto your presents as a fun, decorative embellishment. This works great for winter holidays, where things like red berries and holly are traditional decorations for the season.[16]
- Tie bells around the ribbons. If you're going to tie a ribbon in place anyway, try adding some bells. String some bells through the ribbon before wrapping it around the present to add some flare. This is a great embellishment for the holiday season.[17]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Tissue paper
- Bows
- Ribbons
- To/From tags
- Optional: Measuring Tape, Bells, Fake Berries/Leaves, anything else to make your gift extra festive!
[Edit]Printable Wrapping Paper - Clear postal tape is the best for wrapping gifts that are going through the mail, or that will be wrapped far in advance.
- You can prevent gift wrap from unrolling by cutting an old toilet paper roll and sliding it around the gift wrap roll.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cook Steak in a Frying Pan Posted: 20 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST If you want to eat a delicious steak but don't have a grill available, no worries! You can easily cook your steak in a frying pan. Use a cut of steak at least 1 in (2.5 cm) thick for best results, and heat it up for 3-6 minutes on both sides. Baste your steak with butter and spices for some extra flavor, and eat your steak with sides like mashed potatoes, broccoli, and side salad. Don't forget the red wine! [Edit]Ingredients - Steak (at least 1 in (2.5 cm) thick)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Herbs (optional)
- Canola or vegetable cooking oil
- Butter
[Edit]Preparing Your Steak and Pan - Use a boneless cut of steak about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick. For best results, use a thinner cut of steak, so you can cook it thoroughly on each side. Additionally, the steak will taste best if it's fresh, though you can also defrost a frozen steak prior to frying.[1]
- If your steak is very wet and moist, pat it dry before you cook it.
- Marinate your steak in advance to add additional flavor (optional). Place your meat in a bag or glass container, and cover it in a marinade of your choice. Then, seal up the bag or cover the container and place the steak in the fridge for at least 2 hours.[2]
- Use about of marinade per of meat.
- For best results, marinate your steak overnight.
- If your marinade has acid, alcohol, or salt, don't marinate for more than 4 hours, since these ingredients denature the food.
- If your marinade has citrus juices like lime or lemon, don't let it sit it for more than 2 hours. Acidic marinades can change the color of your meat.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (14.8 g) of kosher salt onto each side your steak. The salt will bring out the steak's natural flavors and help the steak brown evenly as you cook it. Salt also helps the browning process as you cook the meat.[3]
- Salt the steak overnight if you have the time and want to maximize your flavor.
- Salt the steak 40 minutes before you cook it to mildly enhance the flavor.
- If you are preparing your steaks now, sprinkle salt over them immediately before you cook. This will still enhance the flavor, though the meat may not be as tender as it would be if you let it soak overnight.
- Let your steak come to room temperature before you cook it. Remove your steak from the fridge about 30-60 minutes before you cook it so the inside will cook consistently and thoroughly.[4]
- Do this in particular if you have a thick cut of steak.
- Coat the bottom of cast-iron skillet lightly with vegetable oil, then heat for 1 minutes. Make sure the vegetable oil covers the entire bottom of the pan in a light, even to prevent burning. Use high heat as you heat your oil, and wait until you oil smokes.[5]
- Cast-iron and heavy-duty pans retain heat after you place the steak into the pan, making them great when cooking the steak.
[Edit]Cooking the Meat - Place the steak onto the center of your pan when the oil smokes. When you notice smoke forming from your oil, your pan is hot enough to sear your steak. Put your steak in the middle of your pan using your hands or tongs.[6]
- If using your hands, be careful not to burn yourself!
- Cook the steak on one side for 3-6 minutes. The length of time you should cook your steak depends on your preferred temperature and particular cut of steak. On average, each side should brown for about 5 minutes.[7]
- If you prefer a more pink steak, cook each side for less time.
- For a more well-done steak, ensure the outside is brown and charred before you flip it.
- Alternatively, you can flip your steak every 30 seconds or so if you want to cook your steak faster.
- Flip your steak once and cook the other side for 3-6 minutes. After the first side of your steak is browned, use tongs or a spatula to flip your steak. Flipping your steak only one time helps develop a rich color on both sides and maintain the juices of the meat. This is a good idea if you prefer rare or medium-rare steaks since the center stays pink and juicy.[8]
- Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature of your meat. Place the tip of a cooking thermometer into the center of your steak, and wait for the steak to be about 5 degrees away from your desired temperature, before removing it from the heat. Don't wait for the steak to reach your desired temperature, since your steak will continue to cook after it is removed from heat.[9]
- 120° F (48.8° C) = Rare
- 130° F (54.4° C) = Medium rare
- 140° F (60° C) = Medium
- 150° F (65.5° C) = Medium well
- 160° F (71.1° C) = Well done
- Use the finger test if you don't have a cooking thermometer. Touch your middle finger to your thumb, then use your dominant hand to poke the fleshy spot underneath your thumb. Then, use the same finger to poke the steak and compare the feeling. If they feel the same, your steak is medium rare! For other temperatures, use the following fingers:[10]
- Rare: touch your index finger to your thumb.
- Medium: touch your ring finger to your thumb.
- Well done: touch your pinkie finger to your thumb.
[Edit]Cutting and Serving Your Steak - Remove the steak from the pan and let it sit for about 5-15 minutes for best results. Letting your steak rest ensures none of the tasty juices will run out when you cut into it. Your steak will also continue to cook slightly during this time.[11]
- To make sure your steak doesn't cool, cover it with aluminum foil or place it in your oven set to the lowest setting.
- Cut your steak into small strips by slicing against the grain. Locate the direction of the grain, or the way the muscle fibers are in place. Then, use a sharp steak knife to slice the meat across the grain, instead of parallel with it.[12]
- Make your cuts every to make thin slices.
- Serve your steak with delicious sides and wine. Steak goes great with side dishes like mashed potatoes, broccoli, garlic bread, and salad. Pick 1-3 sides and eat them along with your steak for a delicious, healthy meal. Pair your steak with cabernet sauvignon for a delicious wine option.[13]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Cast-iron skillet or heavy-duty pan
- Sharp steak knife
- Tongs or spatula
- If you are cooking steak for other people, ask everyone how they prefer their steak before you cook it. Not everyone likes rare or well done steaks, for instance.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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